Florida Legislature

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Florida is one step closer to adopting the Hope Card Program, designed to protect further and assist victims of domestic violence. Hope Cards provide easy-access information about any court protective orders that have been obtained, increasing speed and security for victims and officers alike. "This card includes information about the respondent, streamlining access to […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Legislature aims to increase safety regulations surrounding Kratom distribution, an increasingly popular herbal substance used throughout the state to combat opioid addiction. The new bill would crack down on selling adulterated versions of the product, requiring safety labels and dosage outlines. Kratom is known to produce either "opioid- or stimulant-like effects,", depending […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Legislature has condemned the "abhorrent" public comments on a bill banning the removal of Confederate monuments, causing Senate President Kathleen Passidomo to be undecided on allowing its arrival to the Senate Floor. If it fails, this will be the second year in a row the measure has been blocked from the Floor. […]

State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-FL) blasted Republicans for not wanting to put abortion on the ballot in the Sunshine State in November. The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday after Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) petitioned the state’s highest court to take a look at the abortion coalition’s proposed amendment. […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Senate Democrats stormed out of committee at the introduction of a new bill that would punish anyone who removes, damages, or destroys a Confederate monument or memorial. After a proponent congratulated the bill's fight for "white culture", an intense debate ensued. "This bill creates the Historical Monuments and Memorials Protection Act," SB 1122's sponsor, […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A sweeping new bill would prohibit banks from dealing in digital currency without completing a comprehensive risk assessment to be approved by the Office of Financial Services. The measure builds on Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on Florida's use of a federalized central bank digital currency. SB 914, proposed by Republican Sen. Keith Perry, defines […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Senate is sticking to its guns in a social media ban for minors. In a rare departure from the Governor, the Republican-led measure outlawing social media accounts for minors—regardless of parental wishes—passed committee down party lines. "If we as a government have identified this harm that is beyond the magnitude of any […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A far-reaching defamation bill united conservatives and liberals in strong opposition, despite a strike-all amendment softening its components. Though the measure removed controversial provisions related to claims of discrimination, it still facilitates the ability to sue a journalist. "When you make a false statement, you are committing some kind of negligent act against someone," […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Mere days after Gov. DeSantis announced that the state's version of the national guard will be sent to the Texas border to fight illegal immigration, U.S. Marine veteran Mark Thieme was unanimously confirmed Monday as the new director for the state guard. This makes Thieme the third director in less than two years. "I […]

Florida Lawmakers Dead-Focused on Social Media, Term Limits for Congress, And AI The fourth week of the 2024 Legislative session has been a whirlwind of news, sweeping up issues such as AI deep fakes, antisemitism, and rising taxpayer dollars. The biggest headline, however, has been Gov. Ron DeSantis, returning to Florida following the suspension of […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Top Republican Lawmaker Sen. Jay Collins has proposed a slew of hard-hitting bills this session, covering issues ranging from foster homes to communism to veterans. In an exclusive interview with the Floridian, he outlined his wide-ranging agenda for 2024's legislative season. "I am unequivocally pro-life," Collins, who is adopted, said of his child permanency […]

The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is taking a social media case to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the constitutionality of state legislation such as Florida’s SB 7072 and Texas’ HB 20. The CCIA believes those legislative measures enable “government interference into speech.” In short, Florida’s bill does not allow big tech companies to […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida Legislature is demanding U.S. congressional term limits via an Article V Convention, propelling the resolution through and out of the Senate Thursday afternoon. Passed by the House last month, 34 states must petition Congress for a convention to amend the Constitution. "Term limits creates an environment where you have new, fresh ideas […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill banning corporal punishment for students with disabilities passed the House Education Quality Subcommittee unanimously, surprising residents and representatives alike in that corporal punishment still exists within some public schools. "While most counties have banned the practice, corporal punishment is still allowed in 19 counties in Florida," HB 439's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Katherine […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—It's time to "seas the opportunity" to keep Florida front and center on the international trade stage, according to maritime professionals at Seaports Day at the Capitol. With a four-year, $5 billion investment plan arriving to shore up public seaports, Florida has set their sights on increasing and maintaining cargo growth. "As long as […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Keiser University kicked off its "Keiser Days at the Capitol" with a Wednesday morning press conference. Joined by Republican Rep. Randy Fine, the college's leaders discussed higher education, nursing shortages, and athletic success. "My message is simply that we live in a great state," Belinda Keiser, the Vice Chancellor of the University, said, "If […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Nearly six years after the school shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas that left 17 dead, Florida moves to lower the firearm purchasing age from 21 back to 18. "Restoring the rights of young adults to purchase a long gun for not only self-defense but for sporting is very important in my rural area," HB […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—A bill defining antisemitism in Florida passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary unanimously, though not without criticisms of censorship and First Amendment infringements. "The bill draws from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, which is considered the gold standard throughout the world and has been adopted by 43 United Nations member states, […]